Kyoto-Tokyo-Five Lakes-Kyushu Itinerary

Hi there,

My partner is running the Tokyo Marathon on March 1st, 2026. So we’re planning a 3-week trip to Japan to include this event! We’ll likely be traveling from February 21st to March 14th.

Our current idea is to visit: 1) Kyoto 2) Tokyo 3) The Five Lakes region (e.g., Mt. Odake, Mitsutogeyama, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Mt. Ryugatake, Myōjinyama...) 4) Kyushu (for example: Mt. Kujū, Mt. Aso, Eboshi-dake, Mt. Karakuni, Kirishima Mountains, Takachihonomine....)

We found a flight that would let us arrive in Osaka and depart from Kutakyushu. We really want to soak up Japanese culture but don’t want to spend all our time just in cities. Museums, exhibits, etc., aren’t really our thing, and we’d like to include some hikes.

1) Do you think this itinerary is realistic for 3 weeks? 2) In Kyushu, we’d like to rent a car—do you think it’d also be a good idea to rent one for the Five Lakes region? 3) I’d love to stay in a temple to take part in monks’ rituals. Any tips on that?

Anyway, this is just a very rough first draft, and before diving in completely, I’d love to get some initial feedback, your thoughts, and your critiques ;) Thanks in advance! :)

Hello,

I recommend checking out the official Japan tourism website (keyword = JNTO).

If you'd like to know other reliable sources of info, just let me know.

Best regards,

René

Hi Stélène,

2) In Kyushu, we’d like to rent a car. Do you think it’d be a good idea to rent one for the Five Lakes region too?

We had a car for our Japan trip and found it really handy for exploring less touristy spots, so yes for the Five Lakes region!

3) I’d love to stay in a temple to take part in the monks’ rituals. Any tips on that?

We spent a night at Kakurinbo, a traditional inn, at Minobusan Kuonji Temple. We loved the place—it’s about an hour from Mount Fuji.

A little preview here. Unfortunately, the travel journal isn’t finished yet, but you can find photos from our trip under the photo gallery—travels.

Hi there, for the Kyūshū part, you can already plan a week to explore all the places mentioned at a leisurely pace. So, I think 3 weeks might be a bit too ambitious for the whole itinerary.

Hello,

1) Do you think a 3-week itinerary like this is realistic? 2) In Kyushu, we’d like to rent a car—do you think it’d be a good idea to rent one for the Five Lakes area as well?

1- I agree with what’s already been said—this is an ambitious itinerary for the whole program because: - Japan is full of wonders for the eyes, and every outing can take longer than expected if you take the time to stop and soak it all in - Some travel between places can take a while.

If you want to keep all the areas mentioned (Tokyo, Kyoto, Five Lakes, Kyushu), it’d be best to reduce the time spent in each one.

2- For places outside the cities, a car gives you the freedom to move around without being tied to public transport schedules, and it also lets you reach more remote spots.

Beyond these answers, I’d encourage you to read travel blogs or travel journals to help confirm or adjust your plans. On this site, other travel forums, and blog platforms, you can find feedback from travelers that might help you refine your wishes.